TNAG-1744-FCO40-2463-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-by-Lor-1988 — Page 94

ZOOAFY

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF LORD GLENARTHUR TO HONG KONG: 29 JUNE

1 JULY

BRIEF NO 2: MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EXCO):

30 JUNE 1988

2

(a)

OPENING STATEMENT

1.

I am delighted to be back in Hong Kong and particularly

pleased to be meeting you today. For me this meeting is the most indispensable item on my programme. It gives me the opportunity to

hear your informed views about the issues of current importance to

Hong Kong. It also enables me again to record the gratitude of the

British Government for the contribution which you make to the

administration of the territory, through your advice and

participation.

2.

I have read very carefully the account of the Foreign

Secretary's meeting with you less than a month ago. On that

occasion the problem of Vietnamese boat people was a predominant preoccupation. Since then much has happened: the new policy of screening on arrival was introduced on 16 June; the Foreign

Secretary has urged the Vietnamese Foreign Minister to take measures

to control illegal departures from Vietnam and to take back non

refugees; he has had useful talks on the same subject with the

Chinese and Soviet Foreign Ministers; and we have intensified our

efforts with UNHCR and the main resettlement countries to find

durable solutions to the problem. I would welcome members' views on

the local reaction to the introduction of the new policy.

3.

Another matter which members raised with the Foreign

Secretary was the BN (0) passport and recent incidents involving Hong

Kong British passport holders at ports of entry to the UK. He has

taken up each of these matters with the Home Secretary as he

undertook to do. I shall ensure that you hear the outcome. The Home

Office are actively considering in the light of your views how

procedures for handling Hong Kong British passport holders at UK

CONFIDENTIAL